Life history

Species overview

Spreading Chervil (Chaerophyllum procumbens), a State Special Concern plant, is found in rich alluvial deciduous forests. Blooming occurs late April through late May; fruiting occurs throughout May. The optimal identification period for this species is late April through early May.

Synonyms: None

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Distinguished from the similar-looking sweet cicely (Osmorhiza claytonii) by its annual, weak-stemmed habit, glabrous fruit and ovaries, and more finely divided leaves. Distinguished from from wild chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris) by size. Wild chervil is usually found 1 to 2 m tall.
• Flower characteristics: Compound umbels of tiny, white, 5-parted flowers; umbellets subtended by conspicuous bracts wider than the rays.
• Fruit characteristics: Narrowly elliptic or oblong, 5 to 10 mm long fruits are broadest near the middle with thread-like ribs; glabrous.
• Leaf characteristics: Fern-like leaves are usually hairless and have oblong to egg-shaped leaf segments.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: late April through late May
• Fruiting phenology: throughout May
• Optimum time to identify: late April through early May

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Annual
• Comments: Associated Species: Acer saccharinum, A. negundo, Celtis occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ranunculus abortivus, Phlox divaricata, Galium aparine, Clematis virginiana, Rudbeckia laciniata.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Spreading Chervil (Chaerophyllum procumbens). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found in rich alluvial deciduous forests.
• Soils: Moist, alluvial soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Spreading Chervil. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Spreading Chervil. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• Minimize disturbance to hydrology, including soil disturbance from rutting.
• Although maintaining high overall forest canopy is important, silvicultural techniques which open small gaps in the canopy may be beneficial to this species.

Other resources

Links to additional Spreading Chervil information

• NatureServe Explorer information [exit DNR]

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Vascular Plants
• Freckmann Herbarium
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Endangered Resources Program for educational uses. Photo use